Press release, 17th October 2007

In a five-day series of articles for The Daily Telegraph, Global Vision sets out a realistic, global alternative to the current relationship between Britain and Europe.  The articles shows how Britain can negotiate a better, more modern relationship in order to get the best out of Europe. 

In the second article in the series on the Telegraph's website today, Lord Lamont discusses how looser ties with the EU can help the British economy.  He suggests that a looser, Swiss-style relationship with the EU would be in Britain's economic interest and Britain would not be isolated. He states, "Switzerland has not been cold shouldered by the EU as a trading partner.  It has not been isolated.  Indeed, it is more integrated with the EU economy than any of the major EU economies and, perhaps more surprisingly, Denmark."

Lamont goes on to argue that at the moment Britain "cannot negotiate our own free trade deals with the US, Australia or Canada" and "the EU's heavy-handed regulations hit all business in the UK, damaging their ability to respond flexibly and swiftly to changing world conditions." Thus, a move to a looser relationship based on trade and cooperation, but opting out of political and economic union, would allow Britain to enjoy greater freedoms - freedoms similar to Switzerland's.  

Don't miss tomorrow's article from Sir Rocco Forte, which will consider whether Britain would have to eschew the benefits of the ‘borderless Europe' lifestyle under a new, more modern relationship. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/